Little Fox Goes to the End of the World

by Ann Tompert, John Wallner (Illustrator)

Little Fox tells her mother all the frightening things she'll see and do when she travels to the end of the world

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Storytime, Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Ann Tompert is an award-winning children's book author who has written more than 20 books, including Harry's Hats, Just a Little Bit, and Little Fox Goes to the End of the World.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a child's imagination and thirst for adventure--yet how all roads truly do lead to home. I like how the mom is always very much a mom, yet allows her daughter "scope for the imagination" and doesn't poo-poo her daughter's fears and yearnings. Thanks, Chandra, for bringing this to my attention! :-)

[Ashley Capes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books as a kid and I was thrilled to find it in an old box the other week, thankfully Mum had saved it :)


Little Fox Goes to the End of the World had become a little mythical in my mind. I hadn't seen the book for probably 15+ years and in that time it'd become a story about a cat trying to capture the wind, a story with the best illustrations ever.

Turns out I was pretty close, in the book Little Fox is telling her mother about the adventure she'll have, and all the resourceful ways she'll deal with trouble like bears, tigers and desert sands and snow. (And she does end up catching the winds - all four of them, each in a pillow case.)

It's a classic children's story and I'm thrilled to enjoy the illustrations now, as much as I must have as a kid. Wallner's style has what I imagine is a 70s feel, very expressive and realistic but with an almost 'pencil' feel.

(You can see an image here, as I'm no good at describing the style :) )

http://www.libbyford.com/wallnerj4.html

Really glad I found it, loved this one almost as much as Wayne Anderson's A Mouse's Tale.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Fox Goes to the End of the World, illustrated by John Wallner.

"Tired of playing in the soft green grass near the mouth of her den," Little Fox announces that she intends to set off to find the end of the world in this charming picture-book from Ann Tompert. Wise mother fox, rather than arguing with her frustrated daughter, draws her out with questions, allowing her to experience the longed-for voyage of exploration - over mountains and deserts, past the island of one-eyed cats - while still safe at home...

With a gentle narrative that emphasizes a mother's role, both in protecting her child, and encouraging her growth, and journey of discovery, as well as appealing four-tone pencil illustrations, Little Fox Goes to the End of the World is a delight, and I thank my friend Chandra for pointing me toward it. Originally published in 1976, it has long out-of-print, although it look like a new edition (with different illustrations, done by Laura J. Bryant) is due for publication this fall. Happy news for Ann Tompert fans!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended to fans of the Little Bear series. I appreciate that, in this one, the mc is a girl fox. The repetitive pattern, problem -> solution, reminds me of The Runaway Bunny (though the problems are different, and the child has the solutions). There's also a nod to Where the Wild Things Are.

Just one question. What are those bandanas / headbands the foxes wear?

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Fox can't wait to travel, and she tells her patient mother about all the adventures she plans to have. This was just an okay read for me as it's a bit t0o much like listening to a toddler ramble on about a subject. (It's adorable when your kid does it, but dull as hell when someone else's child is doing the nattering.)

Sweet illustrations by Laura J. Bryant, however.

[Sonaksha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations, but particularly love the imagination that's a highlight in this. What a lovely way to equip little ones to fearlessly dream, without the inhibitions of an adult, braced with the courage of a child.

This one was a chance stumble, but super happy to have stumbled upon it. The illustrations feel dated, in a very nice way, took me back to the books I had read as a child.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story of a young fox who tells his mom of all the adventures he will have. It comes full circle back home at the end. Highly recommended for gr. K-2.

[Carolyn Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely darling! The adventurer in me just adores Little Fox's adventurous spirit!

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows a fox (child) using its imagination and the mother plays along.

[Alyssa Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I ever read by myself as I kid....found a copy at work and read it to my students and almost cried...brought back memories of when I fist found my love of reading

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little fellow tells his mom a story. Very cute.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little fox recounts how she will travel across the world, meeting everything from tigers to crocodiles, and the four winds. A little reminiscent of "Runaway Bunny" in how Little Fox has a solution for each encounter, and in the love between mother and child. The illustrations are large, colorful and just right. Delightful.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cutesy book about an imaginative little fox who explains how he will travel the world. His mother indulges the fantasy. After explaining all the dangers of the travel, the little fox admits he would miss his mother. She said she will have dinner waiting for him once his travels are through.

Eh.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know that I would actually read this at story time, but maaaybe. It's a bit long. This book could teach kids about bravery. I like the illustrations, and appreciate how it could teach kids to try to imagine what could happen/consequences.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book.

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to review this one on my blog... This was a fun read!

[Myka-lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fav of all time! Out of print but found it online!

[Little Champs]

Big 24 (2)

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

good at the beginning, but long and the "wind" thing was confusing for littles.

[Maribel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have ALWAYS loved this story. Where has the little adventurous fox 🦊 within gone.

[Sarah May · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagination